Muslim scholars call for climate action

Muslim scholars and environmental advocates from about 20 countries on Tuesday called for a global phase-out of greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, joining a chorus of religious leaders urging the world to take strong action against global warming. Participants in a seminar in Istanbul said it was the first declaration of its kind from Islamic leaders, a voice many say has been missing from the debate on global warming. The declaration urged rich countries and oil-producing states to lead the way in phasing out greenhouse gas emissions “no later than the middle of the century.” The burning of oil, coal and gas is the main source of such emissions.

Islam’s teachings, which emphasize the duty of humans as stewards of the Earth and the teacher’s role as an appointed guide to correct behaviour, provide guidance to take the right action on climate change.

Christiana Figueres, the head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat

The move comes two months after Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change and other environmental issues and ahead of a key U.N. climate conference in Paris in December, where world leaders are supposed to adopt a landmark agreement to fight climate change. Organizers said the declaration was “in harmony” with the pope’s message and supported by the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace. About 60 delegates adopted the declaration at the end of the seminar, including leading clerics from Indonesia, Uganda, Lebanon and Bosnia. However, some influential Islamic leaders were absent, including Turkey’s top cleric, who didn’t even send a representative. It remains to be seen whether the message from the scholars is repeated by imams in mosques across the Muslim world.

It’s not something that has great support in the Arab world. We are trying to move the needle in the other direction and persuade the Saudis that it is the right thing.

Saleemul Huq of the International Institute of Environment and Development in London

Science climate change